STATEHOUSE (Sept. 15, 2025) – Wayne County schools received more than $337,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond).
Barrett said the funding is part of the state legislature's investment in school safety this year, totaling $27 million in matching grants across 494 schools statewide. Lawmakers also advanced legislation this year to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.
"Students, teachers and parents should be confident their school is a safe place to learn," Barrett said. "These grants give our local districts the tools they need to update security and respond quickly in an emergency to keep our students safe."
Area schools receiving grants include:
Barrett said awarded funds can be used for a wide range of safety needs like support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments and student-parent support service programs.
Since the program was created in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.
To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and what Indiana's doing to keep schools safe, visit the state's school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.
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State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes portions of Wayne County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
